portale post Say Goodbye to Dental Anxiety
July 2019
S ummer is the season for looking your best! It’s the season for rejuvenating your body and mind, and we’re here to help you get the most out of the warmest months. Going to the dentist causes anxiety for many people. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans report being afraid of going to the dentist. That’s about 100 million people. During my four-decade career as a dentist, I’ve put many patients who have dental anxiety at ease with sedation dentistry. Over the 40-plus years I’ve been practicing dentistry, I’ve seen sedation dentistry come a long way. Today, it is more effective than ever. Countless patients have asked for sedation options, and they say it makes their experience so much better. It puts their anxiety to bed! Nervousness This is the most common type of dental anxiety. It’s a general feeling of anxiousness and apprehension often coupled with shortness of breath and an accelerated heart rate. Patients may also feel a knot in their stomach. Fear A sense of fear often comes from a previous bad experience at the dentist. It’s also related to the fear of losing control and a fear of sudden pain. People who fear the dentist may put off treatment and checkups. Phobia This is the rarest form of anxiety. It’s an extreme fear that can include paralyzing dread, feelings of terror or panic, and uncontrollable physical or emotional reactions. Dental anxiety may make you put off a visit to the dentist, but, luckily, sedation dentistry makes it so you don’t have to! Good dental hygiene is critical not only to the health of your teeth and gums but also to your overall health. Avoiding the dentist due to anxiety can have long-term consequences. An untreated cavity can turn into serious decay, and chronic tooth pain that can be solved in one appointment can last for years. This is where sedation dentistry comes in. If you face any level of anxiety related to a trip to the dentist, there are a few great options that can help. The most common options today include the following treatments: Dental anxiety itself comes in three primary forms:
Nitrous Oxide Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask. It makes you feel calm and comfortable. Once your appointment is over, the gas quickly wears off, and you’ll feel normal in a matter of minutes and be able to drive yourself home after the appointment. It’s simple and safe! Oral Sedation To undergo oral sedation, you will take a medication in the form of a pill before your appointment. There are no needles, and you will feel the effects quickly. By the time the appointment starts, you will feel relaxed with virtually no symptoms of anxiety. This form of sedation takes longer to wear off, and, as a result, we highly recommend you bring someone to the appointment who can drive you home. IV Sedation IV sedation works quickly to bring you into a state of deep relaxation. During your appointment, you will stay awake, but time will move quickly and you’ll remember little, if anything, of the procedure. It will take time to wear off, so you will also need someone to drive you home after your appointment. IV sedation has become a popular choice among those who suffer from anxiety because it is so effective.
I’ve helped many people overcome their fear of going to the dentist. If you have been putting off a visit to the dentist, or you have a loved
one who has been avoiding it, let us know! We can chat and figure out what is the best option for your needs. Together, we can make this the summer of overcoming our fears! – Dr. Portale
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The Effects of Sugar on Teeth And Improving Your Enamel
Sparkling Water and Your Teeth Fizz Facts More people are drinking sparkling water than ever before. Health- conscious individuals are turning away from sugary sodas and replacing them with sparkling alternatives, such as LaCroix and Perrier. We know sparkling water is better than soda for your body, but is it safer for your teeth? Sodas and juices are highly acidic, and combined with their sugar content, you have the ultimate recipe for tooth decay. Remove the sugars and many of the acidic ingredients, such as citric acid, and you’re left with a very different beverage. A 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) examined the erosive properties of common beverages. The study found that sports drinks, for example, were “extremely erosive,” while researchers characterized sparkling water as “minimally erosive” when it came to the impact on tooth enamel. Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a professor with the UCLA School of Dentistry and consumer advisor with the American Dental Association, says that, sugars aside, the acid levels in sparkling water are significantly lower than those in typical sodas and juices. The carbon dioxide in sparkling water, which becomes carbonic acid when consumed, isn’t a danger to tooth enamel if drunk in moderation. However, if consumed regularly over a long period of time, sparkling water may have an erosive effect on tooth enamel. Luckily, for the majority of the population, this is not an issue. The important takeaway from JADA’s study is that sugar-free sparkling water is a much healthier alternative to soda, juice, and other beverages high in sugar and acid content, and that includes beverages marketed as “diet.” The next time you reach for a refreshing sparkling water, you can rest assured you’re making a good choice, not just for your body but for your teeth as well.
Everyone knows that an
excessive amount of sugar isn’t healthy, but many are unaware why sugar is bad for teeth. It might surprise you to know that sugar itself isn’t what hurts your teeth; it’s what happens after you consume it.
The Battle of
the Mouth Our mouths are filled with bacteria, but don’t be alarmed because most of them
are helpful rather than harmful. However, these helpful bacteria are at constant odds with those looking to destroy your enamel. Harmful oral bacteria feed on sugars, and when they do, they produce acid, which strips healthy minerals from your tooth enamel. This process is known as demineralization. Demineralization is continuously butting heads against another process called remineralization, which replaces destroyed minerals and strengthens the teeth. When someone eats a large quantity of sugars or starches, demineralization can happen more quickly and more often, and remineralization can’t keep up. Cavities The constant destruction of the enamel by these acids creates a bacterial infection, which can eat away at your tooth until there is a hole, aka a cavity. Cavities can be treated in many ways depending on their severity. If it has just started, using fluoride treatments can increase remineralization and build up enamel again. Another option is to receive a filling, which is a common treatment that fills the hole with various materials, such as porcelain or tooth-colored resins. When the cavity isn’t treated, it burrows deeper into the tooth, causing pain and tooth loss. Improving Remineralization Making sure your teeth are exposed to constant minerals is the best method to strengthen your enamel. In addition to using fluoride rinses and toothpastes, keep an eye on your diet. Avoiding sugary foods and consuming fruits and vegetables with high fibers, cheeses and yogurts with calcium and phosphates, and black and green teas to repress harmful bacteria are all ways to improve remineralization.
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Healthy Heroes or Dental Villains? 2 NUTRITIOUS FOODS THAT CAN HARM YOUR TEETH
It’s no secret that some foods are better for your teeth than others. Many kinds of cheese, for example, can temporarily elevate pH levels in your mouth and stimulate saliva production, which creates an inhospitable environment for the harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay. Plus, cheese is high in calcium, which helps strengthen bones and teeth. Unfortunately, there are some nutritious foods that can cause more harm than good when it comes to the health of your teeth. Here are two in particular. Almonds As nutritious as they are — packed with vitamin E, healthy fats, fiber, potassium, protein, and other beneficial nutrients — they can cause serious damage to your teeth. With their dense structure that’s difficult to chew and pointed shape, they can easily fracture your teeth, particularly your premolars and
reduce risk to your teeth while still enjoying this healthy snack is to eat sliced almonds instead. Thinly sliced almonds are much softer and contain all the same nutritional benefits. Dried Fruit Like almonds, dried fruit is a great snack that is high in fiber, as well as a number of vitamins and minerals. The problem is that many types of dried fruit contain so much sugar as to be comparable with candy. And in addition to the sugar content, dried fruit sticks to teeth, which can also cause tooth decay.
While conventional wisdomwill tell you to stop eating dried fruit to reduce the risk of tooth decay, there is no denying the associated nutritional value. Instead of eating dried fruit alone, pair it with other foods, such as walnuts or celery. On top of that, be sure to look for
dried fruit with “no sugar added.” And never forget to keep floss handy!
molars toward the back of your mouth.
Raw, whole almonds are the hardest on your teeth, so the best way to
What People Are Saying
“Dr. Portale is a great dentist with a state-of-the-art office and equipment. I can’t say enough. Friendly staff, excellent care, and professional service. He takes away any fear people have of the dentist. The best dentist ever. I would never go anywhere else.” -Alexis K.
“Dr. Portale and his amazing staff make any patient feel comfortable and worry-free. Throughout any procedure, patients are asked if they are feeling pain, doing fine, or are experiencing any discomfort. I was always reluctant in getting any dental work, but Dr. Portale and his assistants have changed this for me. I highly recommend Dr. Portale and his entire office staff.” -Joseph C.
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555 Bergen Boulevard Ridgefield, NJ 07657 201.945.5777 www.bigsmiles.com
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INSIDE This Issue
Put Your Fears Aside!
Sugars Turned Acid The Truth About Sparkling Water 2 Nutritious Foods That Are Bad for Your Teeth Our Patients Say It Best Did You KnowThese Famous Men Wore Dentures?
Did You KnowThese Famous Men Wore Dentures? July Is Cosmetic Dental Month!
The Teeth That ‘HelpedWinWWII’ While most people born with a natural speech impediment make efforts to cover it up, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill believed that his lisp was a necessary part of the war effort. During wartime radio broadcasts, Churchill’s voice was immediately recognizable. So, when he commissioned dental technician Derek Cudlipp to create his dentures, he had them designed to preserve his lisp.
Thanks to novel technological advancements, dental science has come a long way since the days of fashioning toothbrushes out of bones and boar hair. Some of the most incredible inventions to enter the field in the last several decades fall within the category of cosmetic dental services. Generally, cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental procedure that enhances a patient’s teeth, gums, and overall smile. Since July has been dubbed Cosmetic Dental Month, what better way to celebrate the fascinating evolution of dentistry than to examine some of the most famous cosmetic dental patients throughout history?
‘GoneWith the Teeth’ Not many viewers were aware that one of
their first Hollywood crushes, Clark Gable, smiled on screen with a full set of dentures. Due to a bad gum infection in 1933, Gable had to have most of his teeth removed. Rumor has it that while filming “Gone with theWind,” his costar Vivien Leigh often complained about his foul breath, which was probably caused by his dentures. Halitosis aside, the two were apparently good friends.
Washington’s (Not) Wooden Teeth The tall tale of GeorgeWashington’s wooden chompers is as enduring as the myth that the young future president chopped down a cherry tree and came clean about his crime. It’s also just as false. According to Live Science, Washington had multiple sets of dentures made of metal alloys, ivory, and even other people’s’ teeth. He was wearing partial dentures in his late 30s, but by the time he was 57, the president had only one tooth left in his mouth.
Fortunately for today’s patients, dentists now have access to technology that makes cosmetic dentistry an effective and helpful reality.
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